GB943109A - Improvements in or relating to couplings for transmitting a drive between rotatable driving and driven members - Google Patents

Abstract

943,109. Universal joints. TWIFLEX COUPLINGS Ltd., and H. GUNNER. July 6, 1962 [July 7, 1961], No. 24749/61. Heading F2U. A universal joint comprises at least two curved resilient links secured at their ends to flanges carried by driving and driven shafts, the ends of the resilient links being offset from the axis of the joint. In one form, C-springs 24, 25, Figs. 1, 2, are connected by bolts 22, 23 to end plates 17, 19 on driving and driven hubs 14, 15, and bend when the joint is under load. As shown, the springs 24, 25 are laminated, and the bolts 23 are surrounded by spacing sleeves 30. The springs 24, 25 may pivot about the bolts or may be held fast thereby. In one modification, Figs. 3, 4 (not shown), laminated C-springs are mounted by bonded rubber bristles on the bolts. In further modifications, Figs. 6 . . . 10 (also not shown), sets of three, four and five C-springs are arranged in parallel between driving and driven hubs. In another modification, Fig. 14, and Figs. 11 . . . 13 (not shown), a set of C-springs 73 . . . 75 in series is arranged in parallel with a set of C-springs 80 . . . 82 also in series, to connect driving and driven shafts 10, 11. In another form, C-springs 87, 88, Fig. 15, disposed entirely to one side of the major axis of the joint, are bolted between driving and driven hubs, and in variants of this form, Figs. 16, 17 (not shown), combinations of C-springs overlap each other. In another modification, spiral springs 111, 112, Fig. 19, connect driving and driven shafts 10, 11, and in yet another form, wave-shaped springs 121, 122, Fig. 22, are bolted between the driving and driven shafts. In yet another form, Fig. 23 (not shown), arcuate links transmit torque. In another modification, bowed springs 157, 158, Fig. 24, connect transverse arms 155, 156 on the driving and driven shafts, these springs being laminated in a similar modification. The springs may be rectangular, or thickened towards their centres, when seen in plan view, Figs. 25, 26 (not shown). In another form, Fig. 29 (not shown), long bowed springs are connected between an outer drum and an inner hub. In another construction, interwound helical springs 171, 172, Fig. 30, are bolted between driving and driven hubs.